Monthly Festival : Turn your book into a movie and get it seen by 1000s of people. Or garner FULL FEEDBACK from publishers on your novel and help your next draft. Or get a transcript video of your novel performed by professional actors.

Louise Johnson: A father travels to a tiny Greek island to unravel the mysterious circumstances surrounding his daughter’s death. But he’s obstructed by shifty cops and insular locals.

MT: What genres would you say this short story is in?

LJ: Psychological thriller, maybe, or murder mystery.

MT: How would you describe this story in two words?

LJ: Greek tragedy.

MT: What movie have you seen the most in your life?

LJ: I’ve seen The Man Who Fell to Earth three or four times and right now I would very much like to see it again.

MT: How long have you been working on this story?

LJ: It’s part of a longer story I wrote a year or so back. The ending still needs some work.

MT: Do you have an all-time favorite novel?

LJ: Possibly The Secret History by Donna Tartt. I love the rich world she creates and her seductive yet flawed characters. I wish there were more of her novels!

MT: What motivated you to write this story?

LJ: This little island used to almost be my second home. It’s an idyllic spot but there was a dark side – some years ago a fisherman came across a yacht drifting out at sea. There was a dead body on board…

MT: What artist would you love to have dinner with?

LJ: Van Gogh. He’s my favourite artist and he also wrote beautiful letters to his brother, Theo.

MT: Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

LJ: Movies! I would probably live in a cinema if I could.

MT: What influenced you to enter the 1pg. Short Story contest?

LJ: I’m trying to write screenplays so the idea of having my work performed by an actor was really attractive.

MT: Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?

LJ: I reckon it’s good to have a bit of ego – but not too much! Have a support group of writers and listen to their feedback, especially if they are all picking up on the same flaw in your work.